Iowa Teacher of the Year 2023

07/01/2024

My last official day as the 2023 Iowa Teacher of the Year ended yesterday. As with all endings, come new beginnings, and they are often bittersweet.

This year blessed me with new friendships, better insights, lots of professional growth, memorable moments, and an even deeper desire to bring light to the good that is found within the walls of our schools.

To my family, friends, Southeast Polk community, and TOY family, thank you! I am forever grateful for your unending love and support that kept me afloat on the hard days and pushed me to become a better version of myself on the good days.

I am so excited for the 2024 IATOY, Ann Marie Mincks, to begin her own journey. Please remember that your IATOY and NSTOY families are here to love on you and support you, and we can’t wait to see all the good that comes your way this year. Cheers to your first “official” day!

What a year it has been for Krystal Colbert!

05/16/2024

What a beautiful day to visit Wartburg College!

If you want to find hope in this profession, go talk with an aspiring teacher. Yes, they know this job will be difficult. Yes, they know this profession is exhausting. BUT, they are hopeful and optimistic, and that can take you a long way in this career 🍎

Some thoughts from these amazing students today:

“I want to empower students to unlock their potential and navigate the complexities of the world with confidence and knowledge.”

“I didn’t ever have a teacher who looked like me or came from similar backgrounds or life experiences. It was hard to feel like I was truly seen, so I want to become someone who sees the unseen.”

“I want to show kids the love and beauty of music and how impactful it can be to a person.”

Once again, my own cup is full. Thank you, Wartburg College!

05/06/2024

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

In my opinion, teaching is one of the most selfless acts of love, because we take on the responsibility of being so much more than “just” a teacher.

We are counselors, coaches, motivators, and janitors. We are referees, decorators, entertainers, comedians, and encouragers. We are event planners, mentors, cheerleaders, content experts, and in some cases, a parent figure.

We are life-changers, givers of hope, a safe place for students to land. We are optimistically hopeful that the best is yet to come. We see the potential in our students, often before they see it in themselves.

To all the champions I know, THANK YOU! And if you know a champion, please thank them 🍎

05/03/2024

What a beautiful evening celebrating student teachers at the Grandview University Student Teacher Rose Ceremony. 🌹

Students were able to invite family and friends to this special event, where they each received a rose and heard words of praise and encouragement from their cooperating teachers.

I gave a short presentation about the impact of a teacher, and we ended the night with pictures and sweet treats.

One of my favorite parts was reconnecting with a former practicum student, Trinity Grace, and watching her walk across that stage and receive the Outstanding Elementary Student Teaching award. Go change lives, Trinity!

04/29/2024

What an honor to be able to speak at the Governor’s Scholar Recognition ceremony recognizing and celebrating some of Iowa’s top academic students.

My speech focused on the idea of legacy. Legacy isn’t just about what we leave behind, but the imprint we make on the world around us. It’s the values we uphold, the actions we take, and WHO we become in the process. It’s about remembering our principles, maintaining perspective, cultivating gratitude, and choosing grace.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time honoring these students!

04/25/2024

This week took me to St. Ambrose University! It’s always enlightening to speak with student teachers and faculty members about all things education. It is literally impossible for me to leave these events without inspiration and a full heart.

It was also wonderful to catch up with my dear friend and mentor, Jane Schmidt, the 2014 lowa Teacher of the Year! It's so comforting to see a friendly face in the audience 🩷

04/18/2024

This week I spent time with student teachers at Central College and Buena Vista 🤩

Even after a long day in the classroom, these student teachers were ready to share stories, open up their hearts and be vulnerable, and learn and grow together.

Many of them have teaching jobs lined up for next year and here’s what some of them had to say about it:

“I’m excited to build a home where my students feel safe and seen.”

“I can’t wait to decorate my room so that it’s warm and inviting!”

“I was hired in my hometown, and now it’s my time to give back to the community that gave so much to me.”

This world is a better place with all of you in it. Thanks for being great for kids!

04/11/2024

The past week has taken me to the ADM school district and Waldorf University!

At ADM I met with first and second year teachers and their mentors. We discussed strategies for overcoming the common challenges that are often found during the first years of teaching.

At Waldorf University, we focused on ways to combat "burnout" and find JOY in the work we do every day as educators. You never know what word or action may literally change a child's life forever! I was also able to share my Top 10 tips for student teachers to help prepare them for their placements next Fall.

What a fulfilling and rewarding few days. I can't help but feel optimistic when I see all the great work being done in our schools and higher education programs 🩷

04/10/2024

I visited Mount Mercy students back in February and they were inspired to create videos that showcase their “why” for teaching.

What an impact these future teachers will have on their students’ lives!




https://vimeo.com/931497157?share=copy

https://vimeo.com/932141167?share=copy

This is "Untitled" by Amanda K on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/03/2024

Congrats, Missy! Can’t wait to watch your beautiful journey unfold!

Congratulations to Missy Testerman () the 2024 National Teacher of the Year! Missy is an English as a second language elementary school teacher. Learn more about Missy at ntoy.ccsso.org.

03/29/2024

What an honor to be a keynote and panelist at the Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Education this week! It was empowering to share a space with the many talented higher education teachers who I look up to and admire 😍

This day reminded me that together, we are stronger. Together, we ARE making a difference.

I will continue to remain hopefully optimistic that the best is yet to come. Our students deserve it, and so do the teachers who serve them 🩷

03/23/2024

What a beautiful day celebrating teachers! I started it off by giving a keynote at the 2024 Outstanding Iowa Teachers Recognition Luncheon.

What an honor to share a space with the 2023 Iowa History Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Paulsen, as well as the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year Finalists: Daniel Black, Thomas Braverman, Rachel Evanhoff, Tiffany Herr, Brenda Kaufmann, and Nicole Schroeder! And a HUGE congratualtions to Ann Marie Mincks as the 2024 Iowa Teacher of the Year! Your message of leaving a legacy and giving space for our students to share their stories was beautiful 🩷

I then headed off to the ISEA Aspiring Educators Conference and spent a wonderful evening sharing a keynote and spending time celebrating our profession 🙌